Chainsaw Man

[Kraco]

The most terrifying part of Makima's power is that she can sacrifice other people! I reckon she has sacrificed her own humanity a long time ago. Now she's capable of killing another person remotely delegating the life for a life exchange to be carried by people who aren't even willing, they just need to utter a name. Now it makes much more sense why Himeno was so pissed off guys keep falling for Makima. Himeno must have known Makima is a monster worse than most devils out there.

Denji is dumb to resort to hostages. He should've just fought normally, and he would've won the battle of attrition, or at least crazy coward would've arrived on time.

Normally I'd be exceedingly annoyed by that, but as it happens, Denji has been established as a dumbass, so it actually suits his character and is consistent. It's like he suddenly got this great idea in the middle of a fight, except that great idea was an idiotic idea serving no purpose in reality, but he wouldn't realise it.

Looking at Kobeni's performance, I can't help but think Makima knew, and that's why Kobeni was allowed to join in the first place. That being said, why didn't Makima bother to arrange any training for Denji? Like that hostage skit. Someone should have told him to never try such a thing when dealing with villains.

I still don't know what the enemies were all about. I maintain my stance in saying that merely being a part of Gun Devil's gang, cult, or whatever, wouldn't allow them to organise all this. They must have an insider. Funnily enough they executed all the goons, and allowed the two to escape, so they haven't got anyone to interrogate. At least they will know who they were and can put the police to look for clues and connections.

[DarthEnderX]

Himeno must have known Makima is a monster worse than most devils out there.

I don't really see how. So far, she sacrifices terrible people to eliminate other terrible people. I don't see how that's worse than devils that just go around indiscriminately butchering innocent people.

[Kraco]

I don't really see how. So far, she sacrifices terrible people to eliminate other terrible people. I don't see how that's worse than devils that just go around indiscriminately butchering innocent people.

She's doing it while smiling pleasantly. Devils are devils, they are what they are supposed to be, evil demons. Humans, however, should possess empathy and be understanding of others' circumstances. There are people lacking those qualities, but they are considered psychologically abnormal, sociopaths or at worst psychopaths. The real life monsters. Even when the society was underdeveloped and ruthless, like the Middle Ages, an executioner was considered to be a dirty job.

Other than that, Makima is stronger than most devils, I'd say, with a power like that. Strong like a monster.

[MFauli]

It was an okay episode. Too much "bullshit" for now that leaves us waiting for answers.

The one thing I found really weak, though, was that Makima literally killed all the bad guys ... except for the 2 that mattered most. How conventient :/ "She simply didn't know their names", yeah, but then I want to know why. Hopefully that will be explained, but it's frustrating to just have to accept it for now.

Also, how does Makima's ability work? In the train, all victims had small holes in their body. Then she just squashed the other villains. I assume she's got relations with the "fall devil", fear from falling from high up places?

Denji also frustrates me. He was so weak here. And Kobeni being randomly super strong ... dunno. But at least I'm sure it will be explained.

[shinta|hikari]

Makima can have multiple devils contracted, just like top-knot. It was even explicitly said this episode that her contracted devils are a secret. The holes could be from a different devil than squash devil, and her revival can also be from another (unflushed turd) devil.

Kobeni's strength probably derives from her devil contract. Denji wasn't especially weak this episode. He was just dumb and took a hostage, pinning him down in one place with no way to block or counter. He was also fighting a being just like him, so any advantage that form had is gone, so only the fact that he is the infamous chainsaw gives him an edge.

[Kraco]

He was also fighting a being just like him, so any advantage that form had is gone, so only the fact that he is the infamous chainsaw gives him an edge.

I might be wrong, but it seemed to me Denji went to great lengths to avoid permanently damaging the opponents. He just punched the goons. He did threaten to hurt the hostage, but in the end he did nothing to the man. Not that it mattered since the dude was killed by the blade hybrid. I hope Denji remembers the whole fight afterwards and learns from it. Mainly learns that the enemy is willing to kill their own to achieve its goals, so there's no need whatsoever for Denji to be overly merciful. But then again, it's Denji, so I wouldn't hold my breath.

I have to continue wondering about the identity of the opponent. When it's nothing strange for them to kill their own men, it means they aren't comrades or anything. They could still be insane cultists who consider it an honour to die for the cause, but that means they aren't too smart, except for the top, which is exploiting the rest. If they are in it just for the money, they are basically an undisciplined rabble. It could be that this operation, which only failed thanks to Makima's unfathomable powers, got as far as it did thanks to sheer luck alone.

[DarthEnderX]

Makima can have multiple devils contracted, just like top-knot.

Does he have multiple contracts? He has a contract with Fox Devil , but I thought the thing with the Curse Devil was specifically tied to the weapon he was using, not him.

Do you think Makima knew the names from prior investigation or from using another ability? Any why didnt she know the main 2 villains' names?

It seemed like she spent a chunk of time praying before she started giving out names. I assumed that whatever she was doing was giving her the names she needed.

And I assumed that whatever that was doesn't work on other devils.

[shinta|hikari]

Does he have multiple contracts? He has a contract with Fox Devil , but I thought the thing with the Curse Devil was specifically tied to the weapon he was using, not him.

The weapon is likely the devil's contracted form, like Pochita's chainsaw form.

[MFauli]

Do you think Makima knew the names from prior investigation or from using another ability? Any why didnt she know the main 2 villains' names?

[DarthEnderX]

Wasn't Pochita in that form even before he made a deal with Denji?

[shinta|hikari]

He was in his dog form. He has a chainsaw form when Denji used to wield him to cut up devils.

[DarthEnderX]

He was in his dog form. He has a chainsaw form when Denji used to wield him to cut up devils.

He's a dog with a handle and a chainsaw face. I thought he just wielded the dog...

[neflight86]

10

And without dropping a beat, we move into a training arc, CsM style.

Glad that Denji acknowledges that his lack of feeling in the deaths of his comrades is abnormal, though he is too stupid to afford it much more thought.

We now have a 'strongest' devil hunter that likes 'em screwy.

'Future' devil. I like the idea of conceptual devils that are a product of fears we can relate to, so the 'future' could be quite fun, though Aki doesn't have much left to give at this point.

[Buffalobiian]

So despite the term "contract", Devil Hunter's powers are mostly gifts at the whim of devils. They decide what powers they want to give you, what the repayment is going to be, and can pull the plug on you at any time and go "nope".

Seems different to the concept of "contract" we've been fed thus far where you're supposed to honour it (or else... what? exactly though)..

[Kraco]

When Power and Denji decided to put their intelligence to work, it was pretty clear things would go south, rather than produce results. But then again, even that was experience points for them, and as stupid as they are, it would still benefit them to try to think as much as possible, as long as it doesn't lead to hesitation.

So despite the term "contract", Devil Hunter's powers are mostly gifts at the whim of devils. They decide what powers they want to give you, what the repayment is going to be, and can pull the plug on you at any time and go "nope".

Seems different to the concept of "contract" we've been fed thus far where you're supposed to honour it (or else... what? exactly though)..

That was quite enlightening, indeed. It makes the contract, in a way, not really a contract at all, but more like, merely, a line of communication. If a devil is rotting in a high security prison cell all the time, I wonder if that's a good or a bad thing for the contracts. It ought to make a devil quite pissed off, making them ask for a nasty remuneration. On the other hand, it's at least some activity for the devil, instead of staring at empty walls in silence all year long, so maybe they are eager.

Topknot-Aki only having two years of life left is sad. I reckon the Curse Devil takes a whole lot per favour.

[MFauli]

I really hope that sensei has a good explanation for his superhuman speed and strength. Would suck if this was played out as "natural gift".

Power and Denji trying to go the smart route was hilarious from the very first sentence. It was too obvious what would happen lol. Gotta say, smart Power looks sexy af though.

One thing I didn't like, but that's CrunchyRoll's fault: I coincidentially noticed 2 parts that were translated REALLY liberally. One scene, subtile says topknot would have "to sacrifize" something. The Japanese there was "kakugou". Kakukou simply means to "be ready" or "be prepared". And then Denji said, in subtitle, that the sensei was "too scary" (or "fearsome"). The Japanese said, however, "tsuyosugiru", which means "too strong". Like, I know the translation fit the context, too, but those are just totally different words with different meanings. Bad localization imo. Sorry if anyone thinks I want to brag with my Japanese skills, I'm very much aware that there are people here that are much more skilled at the language. Anyway, that just irked me a bit.

[DarthEnderX]

Eternity Devil and Future Devil. That's 2 time devils now.

[neflight86]

BTW, before I forget, about Aki's scene striking the lighter filled with regret... I loved it in Cowboy Bebop, and I still love it now.

[Kraco]

BTW, before I forget, about Aki's scene striking the lighter filled with regret... I loved it in Cowboy Bebop, and I still love it now.

I just found it funny the dude was going to smoke in a hospital room. Well, it was a good scene, I admit, since it triggered his memories, plus smoking in hospital is hardly anything gangsta from a man hunting demons for a living.

[neflight86]

The 90's were a wild time, indeed.